State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today introduced a bipartisan resolution with state Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) to recognize Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in Ohio.

“Hispanic men and women have made countless contributions to our society in the fields of technology, business, science, education, religion, entertainment, politics and the arts,” said Rep. Ramos, the longest serving Latino state officeholder in Ohio history. “I look forward to the cultural awareness and historical insight that recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month in Ohio will bring to our local communities and our state.”

In 1968, President Lyndon Baines Johnson observed National Hispanic Heritage Week in recognition of the contributions of people of Latino/Latina origins to the United States. The week-long observance was later expanded to a month-long celebration by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, declaring Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month to commemorate the many cultures of Latinos as part of the shared American experience.

As Ohio college students don their caps and gowns this month, many will leave school with mountains of debt for four-year degrees. In fact, Ohio families and students face the highest burden of student loan debt in the nation, with the Buckeye State ranking 45th nationally for college affordability. With college out of reach for too many families and students, state Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today introduced legislation to cover 90 percent of the cost for students to attend public college in Ohio. The Ohio Lets Everyone Achieve Right Now (LEARN) tax credit would make Ohio the first state to make college truly affordable for all students.